The Guide to Family-Friendly Ice Fishing in Manitoba

Taking the family ice fishing can be surprisingly simple and incredibly fun. In Manitoba, it’s easy to create a comfortable, stress-free outing where the focus stays on the fun (and the fish)! With a little planning around warmth, snacks, and steady action, you can turn a day on the ice into a cherished family memory.

This guide is built for parents, grandparents and anyone bringing a first-timer onto the ice. Use it as a starting point, then swap in your own favourite lakes, outfitters and local tips.

Why Manitoba Ice Fishing is Easy for Families

Manitoba has a strong ice fishing culture, which means the comfort side of the sport is the norm here. Heated shacks, plowed access points for easy fishing and plenty of rental options, including gear, shacks, transportation and professional guides that take the guesswork out of your trip, are part of the landscape on many popular fisheries. This means you can choose a setup that fits your group without needing to own a pile of gear. Manitoba also makes it easy to adjust on the fly. If conditions change or attention spans run out, you can shorten the day, pivot to a different area or even switch species and still feel like the trip delivered.

Jessie Belot, 23.50-Inch Lake Whitefish, Cedar Lake

Pick your comfort level: DIY

Option 1: DIY close to home

This is the easiest way to try ice fishing without turning it into a production. Keep the session to two or three hours, plan for the warmest part of the day and focus on access that does not require a long walk or complicated travel. The win here is low stress. You learn what your crew enjoys, kids stay happier because the day is short and you can leave early before cold hands start to ruin the vibe.

If you are looking for a near-Winnipeg option with a real “ice village” feel, LockportLIVE on the Red River is an easy place to start. The access is set up for visitors, and it is the kind of spot where families can fish, then take a break for other winter fun nearby. The Red River stretch around Lockport is also a multi-species fishery, with walleye and sauger as common winter targets, plus the chance of goldeye, northern pike and the occasional sturgeon or catfish, depending on conditions and timing. Check the LockportLIVE Facebook page for current access and on-ice updates before you go.

For a Lake Winnipeg DIY day that still feels organized, Gimli is a great fit. The harbour area is known for maintained ice road access in season and the community often has a lively spread of shacks and rentals that make the day feel welcoming, even if you are new to it. Fishing-wise, you are in prime greenback country, with walleye and sauger on the menu, and yellow perch as a bonus species that keeps kids interested when they want steady action. For updates, the Go Fish Gimli Facebook group is a useful place to watch conditions and access chatter. And check out our blog: "Harbourfront Walleyes at Lakeview Gimli Resort" to learn more about the fishing experience there.

Just down the road from Gimli, Riverton and Sandy Bar offer another community-style access point that families enjoy, especially when the route is open, and travel is straightforward. Sandy Bar is a well-known Lake Winnipeg spot for greenback walleye and it also has a reputation for big northern pike. Access can change with conditions throughout the season, and some periods may be better suited to certain vehicles. Before you make the drive, check the Sandy Bar Fishing Club community pages for ice road status and local updates.

Pick your comfort level: Rent an Ice Shack

Option 2: Rent an Ice Shack

A rental shack is the comfort upgrade that makes ice fishing feel approachable for almost any family. Heat, seating and shelter from the wind changes everything, especially with younger kids or grandparents. It also simplifies the whole day. Instead of thinking about gear and setup, you can focus on teaching, snacks, taking a few photos and enjoying the time together.

All Terrain Bear Hunts

One of the best parts is having options that fit your style. For quick trips, pop-up rentals are a great way to stay out of the wind and keep the kids happy. If you have the gear but need the warmth, try a smaller hard-sided shack where you bring the rods and bait, but get a pre-heated space to fish. And if you want total comfort, luxury wheelhouse rentals offer a 'cabin on the ice' vibe—the kind of full-service setup where you can settle in and relax for the entire day.

For a stay in the Hecla Island area, a great option is Gull Harbour Resort. They offer ice-fishing options that scale with your comfort level, including access to ice-fishing shacks for guests at no extra charge if you have your own equipment and they also offer their Fish Cave ice-fishing shacks, which are heated and set up for a more complete experience.

Gull Harbour Resort and Marina

If you want the full luxury ice castle experience on Lake Winnipeg, there are premium rentals available through operations like Kannuk Outfitters, which promotes Ice Castle fish house rentals as a comfortable way to experience Lake Winnipeg hardwater. Gaune Fishin' is another option in the luxury category, offering “Yetti”- style hardhouse rentals in day and overnight formats, as described on their site.

Kannuk Outfitters

If this trip style is your lane, it is worth spending a few minutes on their websites before you pick dates. You will get the clearest picture of what is included, how access and transportation works and which package best fits your family’s comfort level.

Pick your comfort level: Guides and Outfitters

Option 3: Book a Guide or Outfitter

Guided trips take most of the guesswork out of the day and usually speed up the learning curve for beginners. When fish show up sooner, kids stay interested and first-timers actually get a chance to understand what is happening instead of just waiting. It is also a great option when you have limited time, you are hosting visitors or you want the whole experience to feel smooth and confidence-building from start to finish.

If you are not sure where to start, check out our blog “Best Ice Fishing Spots in Manitoba: A Winter Guide to the Season Ahead” and use it as your shortcut to planning. It walks through major hardwater opportunities across the province, including Lake Winnipeg greenback walleye, northern Manitoba lake trout waters, Whiteshell crappie fishing and stocked trout options, then connects those fisheries to lodge, outfitter and guide choices that can provide heated shelters, local knowledge and, in some cases, full accommodations.

Wekusko Falls Lodge

The best part about hiring a guide is that you can match the experience to your group. Some operations focus on day trips close to Winnipeg for families who want a simple, efficient walleye or multi-species day, while others offer bigger destination-style trips, including northern lodge experiences and premium Lake Winnipeg options that combine comfort with a serious shot at trophy fish. In the same guide, you can also browse operator spotlights like Blackwater Cats, Gaune Fishin, Kannuk Outfitters, City Cats, Bruin Outfitting and Icebound Excursions, plus northern lodge options like Wekusko Falls Lodge, Viking Lodge, Bakers Narrows Lodge and more, which helps you compare styles before you commit.

Icebound Excursions

Take a few minutes to click through the guide, then search the outfitter and lodge websites that match your comfort level, group size and travel plan.

What to Target for Steady Action

Family days are about bites, not bragging rights and Manitoba makes it easy to plan around action. For many crews, walleye is the headline species and it can still be a family-friendly target when you keep the plan simple, stay warm and fish shorter windows that line up with typical bite periods. Instead of grinding all day, build in warm-up breaks, keep expectations realistic, and treat even one or two fish as a win if everyone is having fun. If you want a solid A to Z resource for getting started, our blog "Cold Comfort: A Beginner’s Guide to Stress Free Ice Fishing in Manitoba" is a great add-on for new anglers who want the basics covered in one place.

Wekusko Falls Lodge

If you want a near-Winnipeg option where the pace can be great for kids, the Red River around Lockport is worth considering. At times, the walleye and sauger bite can be fast-paced and steady, which is exactly what keeps younger anglers engaged and excited from the first drop.

When you want pure “constant action” energy, yellow perch can be a great change of pace, especially for kids who love watching the rod tip bounce. West Shoal Lake is known as a strong perch fishery and many anglers find March can be an especially fun time, with milder weather and perch feeding aggressively. Access can be less consistent from season to season, so it is smart to do a bit of homework ahead of time to make sure conditions match your transportation plan.

Yellow Perch

Black crappie is another great family option because it is hands-on and rewarding, with fish that feel big for their size and keep the excitement high. There are plenty of crappie lakes across the Whiteshell in Eastern Manitoba and Mary Jane Reservoir in Southern Manitoba is another spot that can produce fun days on the ice. For a deeper dive on both perch and black crappie, you can reference the Hunt Fish Manitoba blog Underrated Ice Fishing Species in Manitoba. It is a helpful add-on for readers who want to branch out beyond walleye.

Jonathan McMorris, 16.37-Inch Black Crappie, Brereton Lake

The Warmth and Snack Plan

The easiest way to improve a family ice-fishing day is to treat warmth as the main goal and fishing as a bonus. Dress in layers so sweat doesn't turn into chill later and plan for hands and feet first. Cold feet end trips fast, so make sure boots are warm and not too tight, and keep spare socks in the truck so you can reset if needed. Little upgrades help a lot here; hand and foot warmers like Hot Paws can be a game-changer, and there are also battery-powered heated gloves, socks, and even jackets that can make winter days far more comfortable. Those options are easy to find online or at stores like Cabela’s.

Prairie Gal Fishing

Snacks are part of the strategy, not an afterthought. Bring things you know they will actually eat, plus one treat that feels like a reward. Hot drinks in a thermos can change the entire mood, and a warm snack break often buys you another hour of good fishing with kids.

Bakers Narrows Lodge

The bathroom plan matters more than most people admit and it does not need to be complicated. If you know where facilities are or you have a simple backup option, everyone relaxes and the day runs more smoothly. For some families, that backup is as simple as an extra small tent set-up for privacy and a plan for responsible disposal to protect resources, which prevents the sudden “we have to leave right now” moment.

Bakers Narrows Lodge

Ice Safety

Smart planning keeps the day fun and safe. Check ice conditions locally and often, avoid obvious risk zones like areas with current and pressure ridges and adjust your plan when the weather turns. Ice cleats help prevent slips and keeping ice picks and a throw rope in the truck is a simple habit that adds real peace of mind. Most importantly, keep family trips short enough that you leave while it is still fun, especially when windchill is pushing comfort limits.

For a deeper breakdown of what to pack, what to watch for and how to stay prepared throughout the season, check out our Ice Fishing Safety blog.

Leave Them Wanting More

A great first ice fishing trip is all about staying flexible and reading the room. Start late morning if you want warmer temperatures, fish for two or three hours and keep the pace light, celebrate the first fish, snap a few photos and mix in small breaks so it never feels rushed. If you are planning a longer day, fish one solid window, take a warm lunch break, then fish a second shorter window; it keeps everyone comfortable and gives the day a nice rhythm.

Prairie Gal Fishing

The best family ice fishing days are not measured by hours on the ice. They are measured by warm hands, good laughs and that moment when someone watches the rod tip dip and realizes they are hooked on the experience. Manitoba makes it easy to build those kinds of days, whether you keep it simple close to home at places like Lockport, head to Lake Winnipeg communities like Gimli and Sandy Bar for classic greenback country or level up with a rental shack or a guided trip that takes the guesswork out.

Bakers Narrows Lodge

It also helps to bring a couple of simple backup activities for when attention spans dip, extra snacks, a small game or a camera for photos. A little “firsts” challenge, like first fish, biggest fish or most fish, can reset the mood quickly and keep everyone engaged. The key is to play it by ear and leave when the timing is right. If the vibe starts to change, do not push it so far that the lasting memory is cold and frustration. Focus on comfort, steady action and safe choices and end on a high note. If the first trips are fun enough, your crew will be asking about the next one before you even get home.

Wekusko Falls Lodge
Keevin Erickson
Author
Keevin Erickson | Hunt Fish Consultant
Keevin Is a passionate hunter and angler with a love for filming, photography, and writing. Watch for his blogs where he'll share his tips, techniques and stories as he explores the province.
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